Agenda and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on the agenda. No interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 24 May 2010.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meeting of the Effective Organisation Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 May 2010 be approved and signed as a correct record. 

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Committee’s remit can do so. The deadline for registering is Tuesday 13 July 2010 at 5:00pm.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Members will receive a presentation on the current budget issues and the strategy for 2011/12.

Members will also receive a report due to be considered by the Executive on 20 July 2010, on the 2011/12 budget process planning framework.  The Director of Customer & Business Support Services will brief the Committee on the report, and Members are asked to note its contents and provide comments for the Executive’s consideration.

Members received a presentation from the Director of Customer and Business Support Services on current budget issues and the strategy for 2011/12.

Members also considered a briefing report titled “ 2011-12 Budget Process Planning Framework and MTFF Update” which was due to be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 20 July 2010. Members were asked to consider and comment on the report in order that their views could be passed on to the Executive.

The Director of Customer and Business Support Services answered Members queries in relation to specific issues raised in both the presentation and the report.

RESOLVED:

(i)         That the Director of Customer and Business Support Services be thanked for a useful and informative presentation.

(ii)        That the Committee notes the new arrangements with interest and in particular approves the early and enhanced consultation and that these comments be taken into consideration by the Executive at its meeting on 20 July 2010.

REASON:

In order that the Committee is consulted on the budget process Planning Framework and MRFF in line with scrutiny procedures and protocols.

Members are asked to consider the Committee’s Workplan.

Members considered a draft workplan for the Effective Organisation Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the 2010-11 municipal year.

Members requested that, in addition to the planned work for the 14^th September meeting, they would like to receive feedback on the Apprenticeships Scrutiny Review. ¹ They also requested a briefing paper on the measures currently being undertaken to limit the external legal costs incurred by Legal Services, in order to identify a suitable remit for a scrutiny review, if a review is deemed necessary. ²

In addition, the Director of Customer and Business Support Services expressed the view that it would be beneficial for Members to have an awareness of procurement issues. Due to the number of items of business already planned for the September meeting, Members suggested that a further meeting should be arranged to take place in late September/early October in order that the Committee could receive a briefing on procurement  so they could decide if they would like to focus on a specific area of interest. ³ 

Members also agreed to receive an update at the meeting on 23 November 2010 on the changes to, and the subsequent success of, the revised sickness scheme in adult social services. ⁴

RESOLVED:            

(i)         That the draft workplan be approved with the amendments detailed above.

(ii)        That an additional meeting be arranged to take place in late September/early October for the Committee to receive a briefing on procurement.

REASON:                  To ensure that a robust and relevant work plan is in place for the municipal year.